CROW to hold Walk on the Wild Side off-island

August 22, 2018

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife will host a free community event in Fort Myers this weekend to raise awareness about the non-profit and continue the celebration of its 50th anniversary.

Walk on the Wild Side will take place on Aug. 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lakes Regional Park. Development and Education Coordinator Rachel Rainbolt explained that it will feature information on CROW and area wildlife, presentations, Animal Ambassador visits, upcycling projects and more.

The event has been held before, with the last one occurring a couple of years ago.

Article Photos

TIFFANY REPECKICROW's Brian Bohlman and Rachel Rainbolt hold a schedule of the presentations and themed gift basket up for grabs that will be featured at Walk on the Wild Side on Aug. 25 in Fort Myers.

"But this will be the first year that it will be offered off-island," Rainbolt said.

She noted that only about 20 percent of CROW's intake patients come from Sanibel and Captiva.

"The bulk of what we take care of comes from the surrounding communities," she said.

Article Map

CROW usually accepts sick and injured animals from North Fort Myers, west to Lehigh Acres, Pine Island, and south to Estero and Bonita Springs. With holding the event off-island, CROW hopes to raise public awareness about itself, the services it provides and wildlife, as well as mark its milestone year.

Admission and the activities are free, but there are fees for city parking.

Attendees can pick up a questionnaire at the CROW tent to fill out with answers from the loop. Completed questionnaires can be turned in for entry into a raffle to win a basket filled with items, valued at about $100. It includes CROW swag, stuffed animals, decorated sea shells and more.

Attendees can also pick up a free 50th anniversary tote bag, while supplies last.

"We will offer presentations while we're there," she said.

Taking place at the amphitheater, the following are scheduled:

- Wildlife Rescue 101 with Ron Frazer at 10:30 a.m.

- Turtles of Florida with Joran Donini at 11 a.m.

- Owls of Florida with Breanna Frankel at 11:30 a.m.

- Wildlife Rescue 101 with Ron Frazer at noon

There will also be three pavilions set up with activities and information on different kinds of local wildlife: Tortoises vs. Turtles, White Pelicans vs. Brown Pelicans, and Florida's Furry Friends.

"These are animals the guests would encounter," Rainbolt said.

The activities range from the opportunity to make upcycled DIY crafts, such as planters, T-shirts and bracelets, to wildlife yoga and an obstacle course. A few of CROW's live Animal Ambassadors will be on hand, including Mina the great horned owl, Shelldon the gopher tortoise and Bashful the opossum.